The provided source material focuses exclusively on tools, applications, and guides for accessing television listings for the Freeview service in the United Kingdom. The information details command-line utilities, official channel guides, mobile applications, and web-based resources designed to help users track program schedules. None of the provided sources contain information regarding free samples, promotional offers, no-cost product trials, brand freebies, or mail-in sample programs. Consequently, the following article adheres strictly to the available data regarding TV listings and Freeview tools, as no content related to consumer freebies or product samples is present in the source material.
Understanding Freeview and Channel Availability
Freeview is a digital terrestrial television platform in the UK that provides access to a variety of TV and radio channels. According to a channel guide document, the service offers over 100 TV and radio channels, including major broadcasters such as BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, Channel 4, and Channel 5, along with their "+1" variants and specialty channels like Dave and Film4 (Source [2]). The availability of specific channels can vary based on the user's geographical location and signal strength. The guide emphasizes the importance of regularly retuning Freeview equipment to ensure access to all available channels and services (Source [2]).
A community-maintained data source lists specific channels and notes changes to the lineup. For example, as of May 2025, "GREAT! movies +1" was replaced by "Great! Mystery" on channel 61, and "POP Max" was removed from channel 208 (Source [6]). This source serves as a dynamic record of channel movements and availability, though it relies on user comments for updates (Source [6]).
Command-Line Tools for TV Listings
For users comfortable with technical interfaces, the tv_grab_uk_freeview tool offers a method to retrieve TV listings in XML format. This command-line utility is designed to output listings for channels available on Freeview. The workflow typically involves an initial configuration step using the --configure flag, which prompts the user to select desired channels and writes the preferences to a configuration file (Source [1]).
Once configured, running the tool without arguments outputs the listings to standard output. Users can customize the output by specifying the number of days to grab (defaulting to 7) and the start date offset. The tool also offers a --fast option to fetch only summary information for each program. Channel identifiers in the output can be set to either the Freeview channel number (e.g., 101 for BBC One HD) or an internal channel ID (Source [1]). This tool is particularly useful for developers or enthusiasts looking to integrate Freeview data into custom applications or scripts.
Mobile Applications for TV Listings
Several mobile applications are available for iOS and Android devices to help users track Freeview schedules. These apps provide a convenient way to view what is currently airing and what is coming up next.
TV Guide Plus (TV Guide UK Free)
One highly recommended application is "TV Guide Plus," often referred to as "TV Guide UK free." This app offers listings for a large number of channels, displaying current programming and a section for upcoming shows. Users can browse the schedule for the entire day or use shortcuts to view programs during prime time or late evening. The app includes specific breakdowns for movies, sport, and cartoons, and allows users to compile a list of favorite channels to simplify navigation (Source [5]).
The app is free to download and use but includes advertisements. A premium version is available for purchase to remove ads, with options for a 4-month subscription at £1.99 or a yearly subscription at £2.99 (Source [5]). The app is available on both iOS and Android platforms (Source [5]).
TV24
"TV24" is another application recommended for Freeview listings. While the provided source material does not detail its specific features beyond the recommendation, it is positioned as an easy-to-use option for tracking TV schedules (Source [5]).
Radio Times Discover TV
The "Radio Times Discover TV" app allows users to view TV listings and set up a free account to follow specific shows and create lists of favorite channels. For users with a Sky+ account, the app offers the functionality to record shows directly (Source [5]). The app contains unobtrusive ads and remains free to use. It also provides radio listings (Source [5]). The app is available on iOS and Android (Source [5]).
TV Player
"TV Player" serves a dual purpose by offering both a seven-day content guide and a live streaming feature. This allows users to watch Freeview TV on smartphones or tablets while on the move, though this functionality consumes mobile data. The app offers a subscription tier at £5.99 per month, which grants access to additional subscription channels such as Discovery, History, Comedy Central, Eurosport, and Nickelodeon (Source [5]). For users looking to watch without an internet connection, the source mentions hardware solutions like Elgato’s EyeTV, which plugs into iPhones or iPads (Source [5]).
Web-Based TV Listing Services
In addition to command-line tools and mobile apps, web-based services are available for accessing Freeview listings. A user on the Digital Spy forums recommended "LocateTV" (http://www.locatetv.com/uk/listings/freeview) as a superior alternative to the Radio Times and TV Guide websites. According to the user, LocateTV provides a comprehensive list of Freeview channels with an easy-to-use layout and includes Freeview channel numbers (Source [3]).
Privacy Considerations in TV Guide Apps
When using mobile applications for TV listings, users should be aware of data privacy practices. For example, the "TV Guide Plus Listing freeview" app (likely the same as "TV Guide UK free" mentioned in Source [5]) discloses that it may use data to track users across apps and websites owned by other companies. Specifically, identifiers, usage data, and diagnostics may be used for tracking. However, the app also collects location, identifiers, usage data, and diagnostics that are not linked to the user's identity (Source [4]).
Conclusion
The provided source material offers a detailed look at the ecosystem of tools available for accessing Freeview TV listings in the UK. From technical command-line utilities like tv_grab_uk_freeview to user-friendly mobile apps such as TV Guide Plus, TV24, Radio Times Discover TV, and TV Player, users have multiple options to track programming schedules. Web-based services like LocateTV also provide alternative methods for viewing channel guides. While these resources are comprehensive for TV listings, the source data does not contain information regarding free samples, promotional offers, or consumer freebies.